Golf practice apparatus



R E F E A H c S w H GOLF PRACTICE APPARATUS Filed July 3, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 @et 5, 1943. H w, SC'HAEFER 2,331,236

GOLF PRACTICE APPARATUS' Filed July 3, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 5, 1943 GOLF PRACTICE APPARATUS Harold W. Schaefer, Chicago, The Harry Alter Company,

poration oi' Illinois Ill., assigner to Chicago, Ill., a cor- Y Application July 3, 1941, 4Serial No. 400,899

15 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates generally to golf practice ranges and is directed more particularly to that type of range which is made available for use in a limited space, as when used indoors, by blocking the iiight of the driven ball at a .plane relatively close to the tee. It is a primary object of the invention to provide a new and improved range of this character.

In ranges of the above character wherein the complete iiights of the ball is necessarily prevented, the player cannot estimate the quality of his drive by observing the general direction and distance of its iinal resting place from the tee. Consequently, if full practice value is to be obtained in the above described shorter type of range, some means must be provided for indicating accurately to the player the character of his drive.

By blocking the night of the ball with a transversely disposed, stretched piece of canvas or the like it has been found that the noise created by the impact of the ball is in direct proportion to the velocity thereof and thus is a function of the distance the ball would have travelled had it not been stopped in its path of iiight.

To the end that the velocity of a driven ball may be indicated to t player with extreme accuracy and as another important object of the invention there is provided herein a range of the above character wherein the intensity of the noise created by the impact of the ball against the blocking means is accurately measured and visually recorded for examination by the player. There is also provided herein in accordance with the invention, means whereby the velocity of the ball as indicated by the noise resulting from the impact, may be translated into terms of feet whereby the player can learn the exact length of his drive.

As a more speciiic object ofV the invention, there is provided herein a transmitting and recording circuit including one or more microphones, amplifying means, and an audiometer, whereby the intensity of the sound waves created by the impact of the ball against the blocking means may be utilized as a direct indication of the distance which the ball would have travelled in a normal open driving course.

It is also necessary, in order that'the player take the proper corrective measures toward improving his golf game, that the direction in which the driven ball is travelling be accurately indicated. V

To the end that the above indication be obtained for visual examination by the player and as another important object of the invention there is provided herein a range in which the direction of the ight of the ball is indicated by the audible impressions received by the microphone upon the driven-ball striking the same.`

More specifically, it is an object of this inverntion to provide herein a system of microphones which are so arranged that the blocking medium is divided into a plurality of zones with respect to which said microphones have different relative degrees of sensitivity, and which thereby provides means for discounting the ve-V locity ofthe ball as a function of the deviation o1' the flight of the ball from a true central line of flight. l v

As is Well known in the game of golf, the accepted manner of striking the b all is to maintain the face and eyesin a position toward the tee or toward the spot where the ball lies and to keep this position until the swing has been completed. Heretofore devices which have been provided to measure the quality of the drive have accomplished a mere instantaneous indication of the nature of the iiight of the ball. Consequently if the player was to determine the nature of this flight it was necessary that his head be raised quickly to the indicating means, thus of course requiring that the head be raised before the completion of the stroke.

To the end that the above diiilcultyv may be avoided and, as another object of the invention there is vprovided herein means forretaining the indicating device in an indicating condition until released at the will of the operator, a foot pedal teeing device being provided which is coupled with a condensor discharge circuit whereby release of the indicating means to a zero position is obtained when pressure is applied to the pedal to tee a ball which is to be subsequently driven. Still another object of the invention is to provide, in combination with an indoor driving range of the character set forth, a circuit including a. microphone or microphones, the output of which includes a suitable amplier and a series of lights arranged to be energized at graduated, increasing voltages impressed upon the circuit.

Suitable holding circuits may be provided for the light circuits, if desired.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the followingdescription and accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the entire driving range embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is atop plan view of the ball stopping or blocking portion lof the device;

Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the ball stopping or blocking means;

Figure 4, is a schematic diagram of a circuit embodying my invention; and

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a circuit adapted to light a given number of series of bulbs in accordance with the intensity of the noise created by the impact of the ball against the blocking medium.

The embodiment disclosed herein is for illus- {trative `purposes only and may be changed or modiiied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

On the drawings:

Referring particularly to Figure 1 it will be seen that the range consists generally of a tee board I0, an inclined ball return chute II which slants downwardly toward the tee board I and a ball blocking structure shown generally at I2 located at the remote end of the chute II.

The ball blocking structure includes a channel iron supporting frame comprising side elements I3 and I4 and top and bottom elements I5 and I6 respectively. The side elements are provided with forwardly projecting supporting elements I1, I8, I9 and 20 each of the last named elements having angularly disposed supporting strips 2l, 22, 23 and 24 associated therewith, said last named elements being suitably secured to the top and bottom supporting elements I and I6 respectively as by spot welding or riveting.

The supporting elements I3, I4, I5 and I6 are provided with a plurality of longitudinally clisposed perforations, each perforation being adapted to receive the hook end of one of a plurality of springs 25, the other end of each of said springs being adapted to engage perforations disposed around the sides of an impact member 26 formed of canvas or the like. From the foregoing it will be seen that the canvas 26 is mounted to yieldably receive the impact of the balls driven thereinto with a diaphragm` action. A deilecting panel 21 formed from canvas or the like is supported by its upper and lower edges on the angularly projecting strips 22 and 23 respectively while a like deecting panel 28 is mounted at the remote side of the impact member 26 by strips 2I and 24 respectively.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a player may drive a golf ball from the tee board I0 over the chute II toward the impact member 26. Preferably a trough 29 is mounted along the lower edge of the chute II for receiving the golf balls as they fall from the impact surface 26 and roll down the chute II. The trough may slant downwardly toward the right as shown in Figure 1 and a suitable hand hole 30 may be provided in the top thereof for removing the balls for further use.

' Preferably, an automatic teeing device is provided in the board |0` and may consist of a funnel shaped retainer 3| having a connecting passage 32 which slopes downwardly away from the bottom thereof. The passage 32 directs the balls into a vertical passage 33 one by one, the bottom of the passage 33 constituting a vertically operating plunger 34 which is raised by a lever 35, this lever in turn being operated by a vertical link 36 having a. suitable foot piece 31 at its upper end.

To the end that the noise created by the impact of the ball against the canvas 26 may be recorded upon an audiometer 38, which may be suitably mounted on the tee board I0 as by a standard 39, there is provided herein one or more microphones which are stationed behind the canvas and which are connected with the audiometer in a manner to be presently described.'

Preferably, a baille assembly is provided behind the microphone. In the device shown, the baille assembly includes a baffle board 4I suitably secured to the supporting frame by rearwardly extending strips 4I.

By reference to Figure 4 the manner in which the noise impulses are transmitted to the audiometer will be seen. 'l

In the present instance three microphones are provided, two being of the velocity type and one of the wide angle crystal type for reasons to be explained presently. The velocity type are represented at 42 and 43 and the crystal type at 44. The output circuits of the microphones 42, 43 and 44 indicated generally at 45, 48 and 41, respectively, include variable resistors 43, 49 and 50, respectively, these resistors being arranged to control the combined sensitivity pattern of the microphones and to control the relative sensitivity of one microphone with respect to the other. The output of the microphones is fed through a suitable audioamplier 5I shown conventionally herein to a vacuum tube voltmeter circuit. As is shown diagrammatically in Figure 4 of the drawings, the conductors 52 and 53 connect the ampliiier 5I to the vacuum tube voltmeter 38 which has been previously referred to by the broad designation of an audiometer. In the vacuum tube voltmeter circuit are two resistors 59 and 60 which are connected in series as shown. A condensor 54 is connected across the input of the vacuum tube voltmeter 33 between the resistors 59 and 60.

As is well known to those skilled in the art, a charge will be built up on the condensor 54 in proportion to the intensity of the output of the amplifier 5I. This charge on the condenser 54 is recorded by the' vacuum tube voltmeter 33. The indicating needle 58 on the vacuum tube voltmeter 38 will remain in its indicating position so long as the charge remains on the condensor 54.

In order to dissipate the charge on the condensor 54 a short circuiting circuit is provided which includes conductors 55 and 56 which are connected respectively to the stationary contact 6I and the movable contact 62 of a short circuiting switch 51. Closing of thejswitch 51 is obtained by the depression of an arm 63 which is secured to the lower en d of a link 36 on which is secured the hook pedal 31 as hereinbefore described. It will thus be seen that after the audiometer reading has been observed, and a new ball is desired, the foot piece 31 with link 36 may be depressed. whereupon the condensor will be discharged and the vacuum tube voltmeter needle 58 will return to its zero position.

Since the output of the amplifier 5I is a function of the sound picked up by the microphones 42, 43 and 44, and since the charge on the condenser 54 is a function of the output of the amplier 5I, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the scale 58'.of the vacuum tube voltmeter 38 may be readily calibrated in yards to indicate the approximate distance the golf ball would have traveled were its night not interrupted by the canvas screen.

In Figure 5 there is disclosed an additional circuit which is preferably connected with one of the above described microphones. In this arrangement the output circuit of the microphone 84 includes conductors 85 and Il which are bridged by a variable resistor 81. Theseconductors constitute the input of an audioamplier, diagrammatically illustrated at 88. The output oi' amplifier B8 is fed through a pair of busses 88' and 8B'. solenoids 89, 10, 1| and 12 are connected in parallel to busses 85' and 88. The solenoids 89-12 are the actuating solenoids of contactors 13, 14, 15 and 18, respectively. Associated with the contactors or switch arms 13-18 is a series of incandescent bulbs 11, 18, 1 8 and 80 which are connected in parallel to a suitable source of current 8|. The solenoids 89-13 have different graduated voltage ratings and are so arranged that at one predetermined output voltage from amplifier 68 only solenoid 88 will be suiilciently energized to actuate its associated contactor or switch arm 13. At a second predetermined voltage both solenoids 68 and 10 will be sufliciently energized to actuate their respective contactors 13 and 14 to their closed circuit positions. At a still higher voltage, solenoids 63, and 1| will be suiciently energized to actuate their respective contactors 13, 14 and 15 to their closed positions, but at this voltage the contactor 16 will not be closed. It will thus be seen that since the output of the amplier 88 is aV function of the intensity of the sound created by the impact of a golf ball against the canvas screen, the number of lights lit will be proportional to the distance the golf ball would have been driven had it not been interrupted by the canvas screen. It is, of course, to be understood that while only four lights and their respective contactor elements and solenoids have been shown, that in actual practice a large number of lights and associated solenoids will be employed having a wide range of graduated ratings.

In order that this visual indicating means may be employed to full advantage, a holding circuit is preferably provided with each of the solenoids 69-12, inclusive. As shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, a holding coil 82, 83, 84 and 85 is provided with each contactor 13, 14, and 16, respectively. Each of these holding coils 82-85, inclusive, are connected in parallel across the line through the contactors 13-16, inclusive. It will be noted, however, that the stationary contact points for each of the coils 82--85, inclusive, is separate from their associated stationary contact points in the circuit of each of lamps 11 to 80, inclusive.

From an inspection of Figure 5 of the drawings, it will be observed that after one of the contactors is closed by its main actuating coil it will be held in its closed position to retain the lamp circuit in an energized condition irrespective of whether the actuating coil is immediately deenergized or not. 'Ihe lamp circuit remains energized until the holding circuit is broken. Means for breaking the holding circuit of each of the holding coils 82 to 85, is provided by switch 89, inclusive.

sTtg the end that the direction of the flight of the ball, at the time it strikes the canvas, may determined by a suitable meter reading, the m1- crophones above described are so positioned that the surface of the canvas is in zones as shown in Figures 1 and 3. It is to be understood, however, that while a particular zone design and a given number of microphones are s hown herein, the number of zone designs is infinite and more or less microphones may be used.

As shown in Figure 1, the various dotted -lines represent the receiving sensitivity patterns of the microphones used. The wide angle microphone 44 affords the pattern zone oi relatively large area shown at 82 as deiined by the line 82a, while the velocity microphones 42 and 43 afi'ord the smaller pattern zones 83 and 84 denedby the lines 83a and 84a respectively. Movement of the microphones ltoward or away from the rear oi' the screen will vary the size of the zones. A ball which is driven from the tee and strikes within zones 82, 83 or 84 will cause audible impact vibrations which are within the pattern of one or the other of the microphones and, except under circumstances to be presently described, the vibrations will be picked up by the respective microphone and transmitted to the meter 88 as previously described. Thus the vibrations Will register a certain degree of intensity to indicate not only the force of the ball as previously described, but also the direction in which it was traveling. This is because any ball strikirm Within any of the pattern zones Will register on the respective microphone to a much greater degree than those which strike'the canvas 28 outside of the zones or which strike the panels 21 and 28, the latter registering very weakly or not at all. The panels 21 and 28 may be said to represent both rough or ,out of bounds drives. It is to be further 'noted that impacts at dierent positions within a. zone will also give different relative readings on the meter 38 since the distance of the spot struck by the ball, from the respective microphone is also a factor in the intensity of the meter reading. The farther away the point of impact from the microphone the less the intensity of the impression thereon. Thus it will be seen that when the point of i-mpact is near the edge of a pattern the reading will be relatively weaker indicating that the ball had less accurate direction than one which strikes toward the center of the pattern and thus transmits the impact vibrations more intensely to the respective microphone whereby a more intense or greater meter reading is attained.

From Figure 1 it will be seen that the microphones are so positioned that patterns 82, 83 and 84 overlap. The combined output of the three microphones will therefore be greater `for a ball striking the overlyingr zone portions than it would be for a ball having the same impact velocity but striking in an area Where the zones do not overlap. 'Ihis overlapping forms still another, more central zone 88 which represents the overlapping of al1 three zones. In driving and in accurately directing the ball, the path from the tee to the zone 88 represents the optimum and when the impact occurs here the meter reading, resulting from the output of all three microphones will be a maximum reading. If desired this zone may be represented Ias a target as shown at 89 in Figure 3.

By reference to Figure 1 it will be seen that the impact surface 26 is zoned substantially as follows, The vertical and lower borders thereof which, when struck by the ball, .represents a ight having very poor direction, that is, either a slice, a hook or a grounded ball, do not fall within the pattern of any of the microphones. Consequently, when the ball strikes this area the meter reading will be very low or even zero. Next, as the drive is straightened out from a hook or a slice the impact will occur within the zones 82, 83 or 84, these areas representing the non-overlapping, portion of the patterns of the respective microphones. Consequently, the combined output of the three microphones will be greater and the reading of the indicator 38 will be greater than when the ball strikes the previously mentioned border area.

'Ihe drive is further straightened out, the lmpact will be in one of the areas 85, 86 or 81 which represents the overlapping of two oi the patterns from two of the respective microphones, and consequently the combined output of the three microphones wil1 be still greater and the resulting meter reading will be still greater for a bali having the same impact velocity. Lastly, if the ilight of the ball is such that it can be considered perfect or near perfect, the point of impact will be in the zone 88 which represents the overlapping of al1 three patterns and the combined output of all three microphones will be maximum for a given impact velocity. As previously explained, substantially no audible vibrations are transmitted to the microphones when the panels 21 and 28 are struck by the ball and since impact with the panels represents extremely poor shots the characteristics thereof will be properly recorded on the indicator 38.

As is known to those skilled in the art, the initial velocity of a ball driven by an iron club of greater loft is substantially the same as for a driver. Shorter distance results, however, due to the higher trajectory of the ball. The present golf practice apparatus takes this feature into account. A ball driven by an iron club may have the same impact velocity as one driven by a wood club, but the combined output of the three microphones will be less due to the fact that the ball will strike the canvas higher up where the resulting combined output of the three microphones is proportionally less.

It has been found to be desirable on certain occasions for use in conjunction with the apparatus hereinhefore described to have means for giving recorded instructions to the player between shots. Such an arrangement is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 4 which shows a phonograph pickup circuit 90 which is connected through a switch 9| to the amplifier 5i. It is to be understood that the circuit 9| is a diagrammatic illustration to show a connection of the amplifier 5i to any conventional phonograph pickup mechanism. This phonograph pickup circuit is connected to the same amplier as the one to which the microphones 42, 43 and 44 are connected. It is contemplated that the switch 9| will be mechanically connected or interlocked with the actuating member 31 in such a manner that the switch 9i will be closed whenthe switch 51 is closed. The phonograph pickup mechanism will then play a portion of a record giving instructions to the player and will automatically shut oi after a predetermined length of time dependent upon the length oi the instructions to be given. The switch 9| may of course be separate from the actuating member 31 and accordingly be separately operated at will through the common amplifier 5| when desired. It is further contemplated when such an arrangement is employed that a loud speaker or other suitable reproducing mechanism will be connected to the output of the ampliiier 5I in parallel with the output circuit 52, 53.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention, and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon other- Wise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. For a golf practice apparatus, a screen against which balls may be driven, means responsive proportionally to the intensity of the 5 sound of the impact oi.' the ball against the screen and means connected with said last named means for transforming the intensity of the sound of the limpact into a visual indication of linear measurement.

2. In a golf practice apparatus, a frame, a screen tightly stretched and mounted in said frame and against which balls may be driven, and sound registering means for registering force oi' impact of a ball against the screen including l5 a sound pickup means in proximity to said screen,

said sound pickup means having greater sensitivity for one predetermining portion of said screen than for another predetermined portion of said screen.

3. In a golf practice apparatus, in combination, means for stopping the flight of a golf ball, an audiometer and means for transmitting sound impulses created by the impact of the golf ball on said stopping means to said audiometer.

4. In a golf practice apparatus having an impact member against which balls may be driven, a microphone in the vicinity of said impact member, an amplifier circuit connected to said microphone, and an audiometer connected to the output of said ampiiier.

5. In a golf practice apparatus, a tensioned impact member adapted to be struck by a ball. an audiometer, a microphone circuit connected to the input of said audiometer. a Wide angle microphone and a plurality of velocity microphones, said wide angle microphone having a relatively large sensitivity pattern on said screen and said velocity microphones having relatively small sensitivity patterns, said last named patterns overlapping one another in part and the pattern of the wide angle microphone in part.

6. In a practice apparatus adapted to indicate the distance an object would normally have been impelled, the combination comprising an impact member against which the object is adapted to be impelled, and a sound registering means responsive to the intensity of the sound of impact for indicating the distance the object would normally have traveled were it not intercepted by said impact member.

7. In a golf practice apparatus, in combination, an impact member adapted to be struck by a ball, a microphone positioned to pick up the sound of impact of a. ball against said member, an audiometer connected to the output of said microphone, said audiometer including indicating means for registering the intensity of the sound of impact of the ball against said member, electric means for maintaining said indicating means in its registered position, a ball teeing lever adapted to be manually operated at the will of the operator to present a ball in readiness for playing, and means responsive to movement of said ball teeing lever for returning said indicating means to its zero position.

8. In a practice apparatus adapted to indicate the distance an object would normally be driven, the combination comprising an impact member against which the object is adapted to be driven, sound registering means responsive to the sound of impact for indicating the distance the driven object would normally have traveled, said sound registering means including at least one micro- 75 phone, an ampliiier connected thereto, and a vacuum tube voltmeter connected to the output of said amplier.

9. In a practice apparatus adapted to indicate the distance an object would normally be driven,

the combination comprising an impact member against which the object is adapted to be driven, sound registering means responsive to the sound of impact for indicating the distance the driven object would normally have traveled, said sound registering means including at least one microphone, an amplifier connected thereto, a plurality of relays connected in parallel to the output of said microphone, said relays being arranged to operate at diierent graduated steps of voltage output of said amplier, a plurality of lamps, one for each relay, an energization circuit for each of said lamps, each of said energization circuits including one of said relays respectively, the number of said lamps lit being a function of the intensity of the sound of impact of said object against said impact member.

10. In a practice apparatus adapted to indicate the distance an object would normally be driven having an impact member against which the object is adapted to be driven, and sound registering means responsive to the sound of impact for indicating the distance the driven object would normally have travelled, said sound registering means comprising, an ampliiier, a plurality of microphones positioned to pick up the sound of impact of said object against said impact member connected to the input of said amplier, a variable impedance shunt in the circuit of each of said microphones, and a vacuum tube voltmeter having resistance coupling from the output of said amplifier, the input circuit of said vacuum tube voltmeter including a condenser, on which an electric charge is stored when sound energy is picked up by said microphone, the amount of charge on said condenser being proportional to the intensity of the sound picked up.

l1. In a practice apparatus adapted to indicate the distance an object would normally carry having an impact member against which the object is adapted to be driven, and sound registering means responsive to the sound of impact for indicating the distance the driven object would normally travel, said sound registering means comprising an amplifier, at least one microphone positioned to pick up the sound of impact of said object against said impact member connected to the input of said amplifier, and a vacuum tube voltmeter connected to the output of said amplier, the input circuit of said vacuum tube voltmeter including a condenser on which an electric charge is stored when sound energy is picked up by said microphone, the amount of charge on said condenser being proportional to the intensity f the sound. picked up.

12. In a practice apparatus adapted to indicate the distance an object would normally carry having an impact member against which the object is adapted to be driven, and sound registering means responsive to the sound of impact for indicating the distance the driven object would normally travel, said sound registering means comprising an amplifier, at least one microphone positioned to pick up the sound of the impact oi' said object against said impact member connected to the input of said amplier, and a vacuum tube voltmeter connected to the output of said amplier, the input circuit of said vacuum tube voltmeter including a condenser on which an electric charge is stored When sound energy is picked up by said microphone, the amount of charge on said condenser being proportional to the intensity of the sound picked up, the vacuum tube voltmeter having an indicating member and a scale associated therewith calibrated in units of linear measurement.

13. In a practice apparatus adapted to indicate the distance an object would normally carry having an impact member against which the object is adapted to be driven, and sound registering means responsive to the sound of impact for indicating the distance the driven object would normally travel, said sound registering means comprising an amplier, at least one microphone positioned to pick up the sound of impact of said object against said impact member connected to the input of said amplifier, a vacuum tube voltmeter connected to the output of said amplifier, the input circuit of said vacuum tube voltmeter including a condenser on which an electric charge is stored when sound energy is picked up by said microphone, the amount of charge on said condenser being proportional to the intensity of the sound picked up, a condenser shorting circuit connected in parallel across said condenser and having a normally open switch therein, and manually actuated means for closing said switch to dissipate any charge on said condenser.

14. In a practice apparatus adapted to indicate the distance an object would normally be driven, the combination comprising an impact -member against which the object is adapted to be driven, sound registering means responsive to the sound of impact for indicating the distance the driven object would normally have travelled, said sound registering means including at least one microphone` an amplifier connected thereto, a plurality of relays connected in parallel to the output of said microphone, said relays being arranged to operate at diierent graduated steps of voltage output of said amplifier, a plurality of lamps, one for each relay, an energization circuit for each of said lamps, each of said energization circuits including one of said relays respectively, the number of said lamps lit being a function of the intensity of the sound of impact of said object against said impact member, a holding circuit for each of said relays which closes when its associated relay picks up, and switch means for opening said holding circuit.

15. For use in a golf practice apparatus of the type utilizing a diaphragm member for stopping a golf ball in flight, means for calibating the distance the ball would have traveled had it not been stopped including, in combination, means for picking up the sound created by the impact of the ball on said diaphragm, means associated therewith responsive to the intensity of the sound of the impact and means connected I with said second means for indicating linear measurement in proportion to the response of said second means to theA intensity of the impact of the ball against said screen.

HAROLD W. SCHAEFER. 

